N.Y. Giants' Martinek to Help Hopatcong Students

A Giant will try to help raise money for Hopatcong students.

A New York Giant.

NFL running back Joe Martinek, a Hopatcong football legend, will tee off in the second annual Michael Wills Golf Outing at the Minebrook Golf Club in Hackettstown Friday.

Tickets cost $120 per person and $480 per foursome. Registration for the scramble starts at 8 a.m. and tee off will be an hour later.

Wills died in 2005 of muscular dystrophy. Proceeds for the tournament will go toward high school seniors who have overcome adversity, Wills family friend Joe Anthes said.

Despite his condition, Willis graduated from in 2001 and received his County College of Morris associates degree in media arts in 2005.

Anthes said Willis, whose fun has benefited students for five years, was one-of-a-kind.

"He never let his disability slow him down in any way, shape or form," Anthes said. "He didn't want any sympathy for it."

. The 2007 graduate finished his Hopatcong High School career as the state's all-time leading rusher before spending five years at Rutgers University under Greg Schiano, currently the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' head coach.

Anthes said Martinek often puts others ahead of himself.

"If anybody knows Joey's personality, he's very humble, very quiet," Anthes said. "If you speak to him individually, he's a very humble human being. He believes in supporting his fellow graduates.

"I think it says a lot about Joey's character. I've always been very impressed with Joey as an individual. Despite all the praise he gets, people don't realize … he's willing a lot of times to put aside his own recognition."

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